Softside vs Hardside Waterbeds — Which Is Right for You?

It's the first decision every waterbed buyer makes, and it shapes the look of your room, the sheets you buy, and the feel of your sleep. Here's the honest comparison.

The quick answer

• Want a waterbed that looks like a normal bed, uses standard sheets, and fits a modern bedroom? → Softside.
• Love the classic deep-fill feel, already own a waterbed frame, or want the most water "float"? → Hardside.

Side by side

	Softside	Hardside
Looks like	A standard mattress	A water mattress in a wood frame
Frame	Regular platform/foundation	Wood frame + pedestal (often with drawers)
Sheets	Standard mattress sizes	Special waterbed sheet sizes
Edge	Firm foam rail (sit on the edge)	Padded rails on the wood frame
Feel	Flotation with a conventional surface	Deeper, more traditional water feel
Best for	New buyers, shared rooms, modern décor	Long-time owners, classic feel, existing frame

Look and fit

A softside hides the water entirely. The chambers sit inside a sturdy foam border with a zip-on cover, so from the outside it's just a good-looking mattress on a normal base. No exposed wood, no "this is a waterbed" announcement to guests.

A hardside is the look people picture: a water mattress dropped into a wood frame on a pedestal, often with storage drawers underneath. It's iconic, and for a lot of owners that's exactly the point.

Sheets and bedding

This trips people up: hardside beds use waterbed-specific sheet sizes, while softside beds use standard mattress sheets (Queen, King, etc.). If buying normal sheets at any store matters to you, that's a point for softside.

Feel

Both float, but differently. Hardside tends to feel deeper and more "all water." Softside feels closer to a conventional mattress with flotation underneath — and softside makes it easy to add a latex or memory-foam comfort top, even a different feel per side for couples.

Edge support

On a softside, the firm foam rail lets you sit on the edge to tie your shoes. A hardside's support is the wood frame with padded rails. Minor, but real for daily life.

Setup and moving

Both drain and fill for moving. Hardside involves assembling/disassembling the wood frame and pedestal; softside is closer to moving a regular bed plus draining the chambers. Either way, we'll walk you through it.

Cost

There's overlap, but a complete softside system with comfort tops often lands at the higher end because of the foam construction and covers; a hardside mattress alone (if you own the frame) can be the more economical refresh. We carry both across price points — tell us your budget and we'll match it.

So… which one?

Choose softside if you want a modern look, standard sheets, and easy per-side comfort. Choose hardside if you love the classic feel, want maximum float, or already have the frame. Still torn? That's what the showroom and the phone are for.

FAQ

Can I switch from hardside to softside? Yes — many long-time owners move to softside for the standard-sheet convenience while keeping the flotation they love.

Do both need a heater? Yes. Every waterbed uses a heater to stay comfortable; match it to the fill depth.

Is one more durable? Both last for years with regular conditioning. Durability comes down to quality and care more than type.

Which is better for couples? Softside, slightly — it's easy to add dual water cores and a different comfort top on each side.

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Compare the lineup: Softside Waterbeds · Hardside Water Mattresses. Questions? (877) 474-9196.